THE MANAGEMENT OF WORLD HERITAGE CITIES: EVOLVING CONCEPTS, NEW STRATEGIES

This article explores the evolving paradigms in the management of World Heritage cities, specifically within the context of Asia's rapid urbanization and Macao’s contemporary bid for World Heritage status. The author argues for a fundamental shift in conservation strategies, moving away from treatin...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Review of Culture
Main Author: Richard A. Engelhardt
Format: Articles
Published: Instituto Cultural de Macau October 2002
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Online Access:https://www.icm.gov.mo/rc/viewer/pdfViewerParts/40004/2689
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Summary:This article explores the evolving paradigms in the management of World Heritage cities, specifically within the context of Asia's rapid urbanization and Macao’s contemporary bid for World Heritage status. The author argues for a fundamental shift in conservation strategies, moving away from treating historic sites as static museum pieces toward integrating them as dynamic "cultural capital" within sustainable development frameworks. By analyzing the international legal framework established by the 1972 World Heritage Convention and its subsequent evolutions, the study highlights a transition toward recognizing vernacular architecture, industrial heritage, and intangible cultural practices as vital components of a society's heritage. Central to this new conservation paradigm is the 1992 "Global Strategy" and the 2001 Universal Declaration on Cultural Diversity, which emphasize equity and the safeguarding of everyday cultural resources. The article concludes that for urban development to be truly sustainable, heritage management must prioritize resource sustainability, public participation, and the empowerment of local communities. By treating cultural assets—ranging from domestic homes to intangible rituals—as renewable resources, cities can foster equitable economic growth while preserving the unique identity and social fabric of their historic urban cores.
ISSN:1682-1106